RETScreen

Spec sheet

What it does

RETScreen supports planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting for clean-energy projects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · prod-natural-resources.azure.cloud.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Deployment

Independent directory data describes RETScreen as an on-premise Windows desktop application.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Benchmark analysis

Benchmarking compares a facility with reference cases to identify energy-performance gaps.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Climate data

RETScreen combines global climate information from NASA satellite data and ground stations with project modelling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · prod-natural-resources.azure.cloud.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Database coverage

The platform includes climate, hydrology, cost, product and project databases.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Documentation and training

Listed support and training options include documentation, videos, live online sessions and in-person training.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Extensibility

The independent review reports no official in-app marketplace and limited support for live IoT or real-time integrations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Feasibility analysis

Feasibility workflows assess energy, costs, emissions, sensitivity and financial risk for proposed projects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Global use

A 2016 Government of Canada backgrounder reported more than 465,000 users worldwide and availability in 36 languages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · canada.ca

Integrations and data partners

A university thesis identifies partnerships or data sources involving IESO, NASA, UNEP and the Global Environment Facility.Read 15 Oct 2026 · scholar.tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Languages

The Government of Canada says RETScreen is used in 36 languages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · prod-natural-resources.azure.cloud.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Launch history

The first RETScreen software was released by the Government of Canada in 1998, according to its backgrounder.Read 15 Oct 2026 · canada.ca

Licence

Public descriptions present the full product as commercial software and do not identify an open-source licence.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Limit: advanced modelling

G2 reviewers say the product can fall short for advanced calculations, forecasting and highly personalized project planning.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Limit: complexity

Reviewers report many tabs and dense information that can overwhelm new users, with an interface some consider dated.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Limit: database quality

An academic evaluation advises checking database weather data against local sources and says reference and equipment databases need improvement.Read 15 Oct 2026 · scholar.tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Limit: optimization

The same evaluation says RETScreen compares user-defined cases but does not automatically optimize system components or propose improvements.Read 15 Oct 2026 · scholar.tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Limit: pricing

A G2 reviewer describes the professional licence price as expensive for part-time consultants.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Limit: reliability

One G2 reviewer reports lagging and shutdowns during use and while changing components.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Maker founded

LinkedIn lists Natural Resources Canada as founded in 1994.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ca.linkedin.com

Maker headquarters

LinkedIn lists Natural Resources Canada headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ca.linkedin.com

Maker ownership

Natural Resources Canada, a Government of Canada department, is identified as the seller and developer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Maker size

LinkedIn lists Natural Resources Canada at 1,001–5,000 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ca.linkedin.com

Performance measurement

Performance Analysis and measurement-and-verification tools compare actual facility results with predicted outcomes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Portfolio analysis

Portfolio Analysis aggregates multiple facilities for organization-wide comparison and management.Read 15 Oct 2026 · solevant.com

Praise: breadth

Reviewers value the detailed coverage of location, energy use, emissions, costs, risks and technology options.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Praise: education

Users report that RETScreen is useful for university projects and learning renewable-energy system design.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Praise: financial analysis

Reviewers praise the financial section and its usefulness for solar, hybrid and other project proposals.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Praise: usability

G2 reviewers repeatedly describe the interface, information flow and core workflows as easy or user friendly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Project analysis

The software evaluates renewable-energy, energy-efficiency and cogeneration project feasibility and ongoing performance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Rating on Capterra

4.5 out of 5 from 2 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com

Rating on G2

4.7 out of 5 from 12 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com

Risk simulation

Risk Analysis can use Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity testing to show impacts on financial indicators.Read 15 Oct 2026 · natural-resources.canada.ca

System requirements

The current download page lists Windows 8.1, Windows 10 or Windows 11 and .NET Framework 4.8 or newer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · prod-natural-resources.azure.cloud.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Plans and prices

Every RETScreen plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Energy Management Software#3 of 258.4